TITLE 8:
GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY ORDERS
CHAPTER 4, SUBCHAPTER 7, ARTICLE 59, new SECTION 4307.1
 
GUARDING OF MITER SAWS

Add new Section 4307.1 to read:

 § 4307.1. Miter Saws.

(a)(1) With the carriage in the full cut position as depicted in Figures A and B, a guard shall enclose the upper half of the blade and at least 50 percent of the arbor end.

EXCEPTION: The guard may have an opening for ejection of sawdust provided the opening is located beyond the outer circumference of the blade, or is located in such a manner that a ½ inch diameter probe inserted 2 ½ inches into the opening cannot contact the blade.

(2) The saw power shall be disconnected before cleaning or unjamming the guard opening designed for the ejection of sawdust.

(b) With the carriage in the full retract (raised) position as depicted in Figures A and B, the periphery of the lower blade teeth shall be fully guarded and the guard shall extend at least ¾ of an inch radially inward beyond the root of the teeth.

EXCEPTIONS:

  1. Saws with guards that shield the lower blade and teeth on both sides may have the necessary opening between the lower blade guards to allow the blade teeth to make contact with the material being cut.
  2. Lower blade guards may also have a side slot up to 1-½ inches in width on the motor side extending from the motor-shaft to the bottom of the guard, for motor-shaft clearance.
  3. Blade exposure as depicted in Figures A and B is allowed in the lower blade quadrant furthest away from the operator’s side of the saw, provided the blade exposure does not exceed 45 degrees within the quadrant.

(c) Employers shall instruct employees to keep hands and fingers outside the area below the blade until the blade has come to a complete stop.